WHERE TO WELCOME 1995

Though New Year's Eve parties abound as usual this year, alcohol-fueled blowouts may be becoming scarcer and one of Cape Girardeau's traditional end-of-the-year dances will be missing from the action altogether.

The New Year's Eve dance sponsored by the Travelers Protective Association at the Arena Building, a tradition dating back at least a quarter-century, will not be held this year.

A private wedding reception was booked into the arena building ahead of this year's dance, and the cost of renting other halls proved prohibitive, said Leon Dickerson, president of TPA Post M of Cape Girardeau.

At one point in its existence the dance could fill the Arena Building with people, but in recent years it had drawn smaller and smaller crowds.

"So many different organizations started holding their own dances the same as we were," Dickerson said.

The future of the dance is uncertain, he said.

"Right now it's on the table. We haven't decided whether to do it next year."

David Ross, director of the Show Me Center, said big dances simply can't attract the number of people they once could.

A possible exception is the line-dancing phenomenon in country music, Ross said. "As a group, people don't go out dancing anymore."

The center co-sponsored a big New Year's Eve dance one recent year. The 125 people who came were swallowed up by the Show Me Center's size, he said.

"Dances themselves have changed so much it has caused a basic change in what people do," Ross said.

The Show Me Center will be the site of two smaller private parties on New Year's Eve.

David Poe, general manager of the Bavarian Halle in Fruitland, says liability concerns also have made some businessmen wary of events where large amounts of alcohol might be consumed.

"You have assumed liability with the liquor," Poe said. "If you've got a property that is selling liquor, the building property is ultimately liable."

The only event held at the Bavarian Halle on New Year's Eve will be a noontime bingo game.

One bar manager said no champagne will be dispensed at midnight this year. Her concern is that customers might leave with the bottle and get into trouble.

Fortunately, driving while intoxicated arrests don't increase significantly on New Year's Eve in Cape Girardeau, police say.

They attribute that to heightened awareness about the destructiveness and penalties associated with DWI and to designated driver programs.

TPA President Dickerson doesn't think changing attitudes toward drinking and driving caused his organization's dance to lose popularity.

"A lot of people came to our dances that didn't drink alcohol," he said.

One of the largest parties in the area doubtless will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jackson. Tickets are $22.50 per person and include a happy hour at 6 p.m, followed by all-you-can-eat meal at 7, an open bar and dancing to the music of the variety band Decade from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Tickets are available in advance or at the door. The hall has a capacity of 350.

Al Bisher at Big Al's might be having one of the biggest parties in town. The hall can seat 500 and hold 700. The $5 cover includes a bottle of champagne for each couple, noisemakers and hats.

Those who ride the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway New Year's Eve will get a chance to solve a murder mystery on their way from Jackson to Delta. The $34.50 tab for adults ($29.50 for children) includes a light meal and non-alcoholic bubbly at midnight. The train departs at 8:30 p.m. on a 4 1/2 hour trip.

The fourth annual Alcothon will be sponsored by Alcoholics Anonymous at Notre Dame High School. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday with a potluck and will continue through 9 p.m. Jan. 1.

Throughout the period, presentations will be made by AA and Al-Anon representatives. Family activities, games and movies also will be available, along with a dance from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Anyone is welcome to attend the Alcothon.

Marti Sturm, program director for the Center for Recovery at St. Francis Medical Center, said the Alcothon helps people in recovery and their families get through a particularly difficult time of the year.

"The age-old tradition is that you party and drink and get drunk on New Year's Eve," she said. "You're considered different if you don't drink."

Sturm said hundreds of people from all over Southeast Missouri have attended the event in past years.

Numerous fraternal organizations will hold private parties. Among the smaller public gatherings are:

-- Victoria's at the Holiday Inn: Manasa sound system, party favors and champagne at midnight. Prime rib buffet and room service available. Complimentary Bloody Marys and screwdrivers will be served at the recovery party.

-- Purple Crackle: Sound system with J.J. Elliott of Q-99 as deejay. Hors d'oeuvres and party favors. The party begins at 9 p.m. and will continue until 5 a.m. Free party favors. $8 cover.

-- Drury Lodge: $49 per couple, music by the Runaways, unlimited full bar. Doors open at 8 p.m., music at 9 p.m. Rooms are $94 per couple. Continental breakfast served in the morning.

-- Wing Creations benefit for American Cancer Society, Missouri Veterans Home and the AIDS Project of Southeast Missouri, Bent Creek Country Club, Jackson: $75 per person includes five-course dinner, comedy and karaoke show, and New At It dance band. Tickets available by calling 339-9539.

-- River City Yacht Club: Band.

-- Broussard's: Acme Blues Band. No cover.

-- Players: CD release party for Papa Aborigine. $5 cover.

-- Jeremiah's: Party in the bar. Grand opening of the restaurant.

-- Griffin's: Karaoke, hats, noisemakers, champagne. $5 cover.

-- Little Ole Opry, Gordonville: $7 per person includes dinner from 7 to 8:30 p.m. House band plays until midnight. No alcohol. Reservations required. Phone 243-4555.

-- Stroder Country, Jackson: $12 per person, includes a meal beginning at 7 p.m. Dale 'n' Melody entertain from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Alcohol will not be served but customers can bring their own with the exception of beer coolers. Setups will be provided.

-- Country Music Hall, Highway 25 south of Jackson: $7.50 per person includes party favors, sodas, chips and dips. Patrons are asked to bring finger foods. House band will entertain. No alcohol is allowed. The show will begin at 8 p.m and last until after midnight.

-- VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau: $12 a person in advance, $15 at door. Includes breakfast, party favors, champagne, hors d'oeuvres. Music by the country-rock band Triple Play. Capacity is 200.

-- Parents Without Partners: $5 per person, music by Brice's Variety Sound System, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. In the Jackson Room of the Holiday Inn. Dress is semi-formal.